When Gilbert got back to the castle, M.Leminof was walking on the terrace.He perceived his secretary at some distance, and made signs to him to come and join him.They made several turns on the parapet, and while walking, Gilbert studied Stephane's father with still greater attention than he had done before.He was now most forcibly struck by his eyes, of a slightly turbid gray, whose glances, vague, unsteady, indiscernible, became at moments cold and dull as lead.Never had M.Leminof been so amiable to his secretary; he spoke to him playfully, and looked at him with an expression of charming good nature.They had conversed for a quarter of an hour when the sound of a bell gave notice that dinner was served.Count Kostia conducted Gilbert to the dining-room.It was an immense vaulted apartment, wainscoted in black oak, and lighted by three small ogive windows, looking out upon the terrace.
The arches of the ceiling were covered with old apocalyptic paintings, which time had molded and scaled off.In the center could be seen the Lamb with seven horns seated on his throne; and round about him the four-and-twenty elders clothed in white.On the lower parts of the pendentive the paintings were so much damaged that the subjects were hardly recognizable.Here and there could be seen wings of angels, trumpets, arms which had lost their hands, busts from which the head had disappeared, crowns, stars, horses' manes, and dragons' tails.These gloomy relics sometimes formed combinations that were mysterious and ominous.It was a strange decoration for a dining-hall.
At this hour of the day, the three arched windows gave but a dull and scanty light; and more was supplied by three bronze lamps, suspended from the ceiling by iron chains; even their brilliant flames were hardly sufficient to light up the depths of this cavernous hall.Below the three lamps was spread a long table, where twenty guests might easily find room; at one of the rounded ends of this table, three covers and three morocco chairs had been arranged in a semi-circle; at the other end, a solitary cover was placed before a simple wooden stool.The Count seated himself and motioned Gilbert to place himself at his right; then unfolding his napkin, he said harshly to the great German valet de chambre: